DESBUISSONS François Hippolyte called HIPOLITE

(1745-1807)

Portrait of a woman in profile to the left

Signed and dated: hDr l'an 5

1796/1797

Watercolor and gouache, round 6.5 cm.

Chiseled and gilded bronze frame: 10.6 cm.

Rare circular miniature painted in grisaille on a blue background signed by DESBUISSONS François Hippolyte called HIPOLITE (1745-1807).

The woman is depicted in bust, turned to the left, looking serenely ahead. Her hair is gathered in the very elaborate hairstyle, in the center here a diadem with pearls and precious stones. The dress, on which a brooch of pearls and sapphires is pinned, is characterized by a sophisticated richness where every detail is described with precision. This ostentation shows how the work was originally intended to certify a high social status.

A pupil of Joseph-Marie Vien, Desbuissons studied at the Académie Royale in Paris in 1758, then was a member of the Académie Saint-Luc and of Rouen. He is known for his profile portraits in grisaille or in imitation of cameo. Stylistically, his works have in common defined contours and meticulous details.

His portraits are rare, his biographer Bedouret in the article, 'Le miniaturiste Hipolite, ou la dynastie des Desbuissons', (Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire de l'Art français année 1978, 1980, pp. 191-205.) will only mention 23 miniatures.

Price: 2900 €

RELATED WORKS:

A very similar round miniature was in a private collection.

(Drouot, Titon collection, Mes BD, November 25, 2005, no. 144)

PROVENANCE:

Nice, private collection.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bedouret, Bénézit, Schidlof, Bouchard, Foster, Blattel, Thieme et Becker, Lespinasse, Darmon, Bernd Pappe.

MUSEUMS:

Carnavalet, Louvre, Rouen, Tansey,